This calculator provides an estimation of the calories your body burns during various physical activities. The actual number of calories burned can vary significantly based on individual metabolism, body composition, intensity, and environmental factors. However, this tool uses widely accepted metabolic equivalents (METs) to give you a reasonable approximation.
How it Works: The MET Formula
The calculation is based on the following formula:
Calories Burned per Minute = (MET value * body weight in kg * 3.5) / 200
And then, to get the total calories for a session:
Total Calories Burned = Calories Burned per Minute * Activity Duration in Minutes
Metabolic Equivalents (METs) Used:
Walking (Moderate pace, ~3 mph): MET ≈ 3.5
Running (Moderate pace, ~6 mph): MET ≈ 9.8
Cycling (Moderate pace, ~12 mph): MET ≈ 8.0
Swimming (Moderate pace): MET ≈ 5.8
Yoga: MET ≈ 2.5
Weight Lifting (General): MET ≈ 3.0
A MET is a measure of the energy cost of physical activities. One MET is defined as the ratio of the energy an individual expends during an activity to the energy expended while at rest. For example, an activity with a MET value of 5 means it requires 5 times the energy expenditure of resting.
Factors Influencing Calorie Burn:
Body Weight: Heavier individuals generally burn more calories for the same activity.
Activity Intensity (METs): Higher intensity activities (higher MET values) burn more calories.
Duration: The longer you engage in an activity, the more calories you burn.
Age & Gender: These can influence metabolic rate.
Fitness Level: Fitter individuals may be more efficient, sometimes burning fewer calories for the same perceived effort, but can often sustain higher intensities.
Environmental Conditions: Exercising in extreme heat or cold can increase calorie expenditure.
Use Cases:
Fitness Tracking: Understand your energy expenditure to better manage weight or improve fitness.
Exercise Planning: Estimate the caloric cost of different workouts to tailor your routine.
Nutrition Balancing: Get a clearer picture of your total daily energy balance by factoring in exercise.
Remember, this calculator is an estimation tool. For precise measurements, consider using fitness trackers that monitor heart rate and other physiological data, or consult with a fitness professional.
function calculateBurnedCalories() {
var weightKg = parseFloat(document.getElementById("weightKg").value);
var activityDurationMinutes = parseFloat(document.getElementById("activityDurationMinutes").value);
var activityType = document.getElementById("activityType").value;
var metValue = 0;
switch (activityType) {
case "walking_moderate":
metValue = 3.5;
break;
case "running_moderate":
metValue = 9.8;
break;
case "cycling_moderate":
metValue = 8.0;
break;
case "swimming_moderate":
metValue = 5.8;
break;
case "yoga":
metValue = 2.5;
break;
case "weight_lifting":
metValue = 3.0;
break;
default:
metValue = 1.0; // Resting MET, though unlikely to be selected
}
var burnedCaloriesResult = 0;
// Basic validation
if (isNaN(weightKg) || isNaN(activityDurationMinutes) || weightKg <= 0 || activityDurationMinutes <= 0 || metValue <= 0) {
burnedCaloriesResult = "Invalid input";
document.getElementById("burnedCalories").style.color = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
} else {
// Formula: (MET * weight_kg * 3.5) / 200 = calories per minute
var caloriesPerMinute = (metValue * weightKg * 3.5) / 200;
burnedCaloriesResult = caloriesPerMinute * activityDurationMinutes;
burnedCaloriesResult = burnedCaloriesResult.toFixed(0); // Round to nearest whole calorie
document.getElementById("burnedCalories").style.color = "#28a745"; // Green for success
}
document.getElementById("burnedCalories").textContent = burnedCaloriesResult;
}